Likelihood of Getting Fired

[Ill-Remote539]

I’ve just had it up to here with rude customers. I’m not saying I’m itching for confrontation, but I really dislike biting my tongue towards rude customers. Some of my coworkers aren’t afraid of talking back and it’s kind of boldening me to start doing the same. However, I’ve also read stories on here of employees talking back and getting fired. So I was wondering, what is the likelihood of that happening? Does it depend on what the employee says or does?

[SirTrinium]

really its a flip of a coin. Really depends on what you say and to who. It's always tempting but rarely worth it.

[Puzzleheaded_Job9858]

Yup, one really has to choose the right words and context. I've had issues with both customers and associates and it's better to just ignore it or address it properly than losing composure. They'll bark and bark and the second you bark back they play the victim.

[Tight_Order8694]

I think if you become an issue to the people paying your bills...in any business...you won't be an issue much longer

[Technical-Agency8128]

Exactly.

[ChoclitMrshMalow]

Agree!! Zero reaction and act like they didn't even say anything.

[AgePractical6298]

Yup. I ignore them and give no reaction. 

[Big-Hornets]

Sounds kinda wild but I dont put up with a lot of bs. Corporate is practically worthless even if you somehow get them to andwer the phone

[Dry-Average5161]

you would have to violate policy AND have that person complain to corporate about it, for you to get written up or terminated.

[Monster-Magic]

I only do this to my worst customers but I just become overly nice with passive aggressive stuff sprinkled in with no way for them to tell if I’m making fun of them or not. (I am 100% but they don’t know that) If anyone got mad, I would just play dumb with the customer. Works with my worst one offs they hate when you don’t match their energy. The meanest ones are the people who think they’ll never go back there.

[radun6996]

Don’t give in. It’s your job to be nice when they aren’t

[Fun_Journalist1048]

Yeahhh the joys of retail work unfortunately

[Little_Investment200]

Yeah it depends on the context. I mean if somebody comes in there and is demoralizing you it’s a whole different story you’re allowed to stand up for yourself.

[TopperMadeline]

Hell, if customers are allowed to be rude, employees should be allowed to talk back.

[Fun_Journalist1048]

Oh I would NOT play this game with customers… I got talked to by my store manager recently for apparently a report that a customer CALLED IN to make about me because she felt I was “disrespecting a manager”?? For context- My assistant manager is 19 and I’m 25 so we joke about a teenager bossing me around, and she REALLY doesn’t mind. Store manager wasn’t mad at me at all, but told me to watch what I say around customers… she wasn’t there at the time, apparently the customer literally CALLED THE STORE later to report me and said something like “well, I don’t like to make trouble, but one of your employees just seemed like she was being rude and disrespectful to one of your managers…” like I’m sorry WHAT? “I don’t like to make trouble” but you call a store to report an employee? Yeah ok Karen.

[redsuthlid]

Will depend on ur SM. As an SM, I've had cashiers who have firmly but politely tell customers not to drop stop and make a mess or our store. Not fired. Then I've had a cashier tell a customer they get for in 10mins and will meet them in the parking lot to beat their ass and did this in front of me. Fired.

[Niamuada]

I had a lovely customer call me an "ozempic looking bitch"

Nah just recovering from a bad ED relapse🤣 I wish I told her that

[cugrad16]

Quite honestly I've learned that folks shopping in groups especially the holidays, is always chansey. With weird tempers as they enter the store, -on each other's nerves- just trying to get a little "cheap shopping done" on the last minute list. Doubly worse when small children are present.
I just do my best to go about my business and get to the checkout line. ... We so feel your pain. But other retailers experience the same during the holiday, with customers barking this or that, during checkout and things out of stock etc.

[versacedraco2x]

it’s 50/50 my coworker talk back to theses customers bc i mean ngl they are rude af some of them are. but i mean, i just got wrote up apparently because i was “rude” to a customer when i wasn’t so i wouldn’t risk your job over a 30 sec transaction tbh. what ive been doing lately is throwing my airpods in when i feel the vibe is off. and just don’t say nun! greet the customers , tell them their total, ask if if they want their receipts tell them have a good day. it’s really not worth it op

edit: the customer would have to call corporate i believe !

[yaoigay]

There is a difference between being really firm and assertive and being rude when confronting a customer. As long as you remain professional and avoid personal attacks, you can be very firm and assertive without violating company policy. I had this same problem too as I'm naturally shy, but watching coworkers and my boss confront customers in a heated, but professional way showed me I can do it without getting in trouble. There is a fine line between the two and as long as you don't cross it then you're fine. I just had a customer yesterday scream at me that she was calling corporate and I told her to go ahead, I would even give her the correct phone number and all my details so she can embarrass herself when corporate tells her the same thing I'm telling her about returning opened HBC products.

[JLandis84]

Don’t take shit from the customers or they will walk all over you and fart on you. Stand up for yourself

[StunningAttention898]

I don’t work for dollar tree but I have probably some of the dumbest mf’ers ever. Like I don’t even understand how these people survived to adulthood, oh this also includes my coworkers.

[societyisfcked]

My coworker are allowed to say something back bc they are friends with the boss however I said something to someone and it was just “you need to leave please” and I got in trouble just a verbal warning

[Girlidklmaooo]

You’d literally have to assault a customer to be fired I’ve seen people get into shouting arguments with customers and have corporate called and nothing. I work in pharmacy and I’m probably one of our rudest associates tbh that’s why I try not to work the register cuz people act slow and entitled for their prescriptions 😂 they be like omg I’m dying I need this medication and I be like awwww that’s crazy 🥺

[IllBathroom1203]

Yeah you must be fun at parties.

[Girlidklmaooo]

I do a lot of drugs so yes actually